On the 1st of December 2015, Refugee Community Kitchen served their first meal in Calais.

10 years later, RCK's co-founders Paula and Steve reflect on the beginning of this incredible journey. With co-founders Janie and Sam, they went to Calais as doing nothing about this humanitarian crisis was no longer an option.

With the help of L'Auberge des Migrants who gave them a space in their warehouse, they built a kitchen in Calais. In 2016, they opened a kitchen in London as well.

After a decade of hard work, 2.5 million meals served and 20,000 volunteers, they are still actively involved in all the steps and abide by their core values: making warm, delicious, nutritious food without judgment.

10 years part 1: How it started

10 years part 2: Best memories from Calais & London

Throughout the devastating impact of Covid-19, RCK Outreach has remained committed to serving food to those who need it. Outreach is still going strong in Brixton, as well as providing food parcels and supporting service user families in Camden. We are looking at going back to a normal service in the next month as people are back on the streets.

Founder Janie Mac made it into the national press this week, talking about the current situation for homeless in London & the UK -

'Janie Mac, the co-founder of Refugee Community Kitchen which has been providing food parcels and hot meals to the homeless in Brixton and Camden, argues there are “101 things that could have been done,” instead of the simple act of removing people.

“You can’t put someone that’s been living on the streets with mental health issues and drug issues and put them in a hotel room and expect them to co-operate. There are many layers on why that is difficult for them, including isolation.

“It’s easy to look after the people who are compliant, who do what they’re told, but the most vulnerable people are the ones who are the most difficult for many reasons. And if you haven’t sorted that out then you haven’t been successful.”'

You can read the full article here: